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FCC Chairman: T-Mobile 'Binge On' Does Not Violate Net Neutrality

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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When T-Mobile last week announced its new Binge On perk, which lets you stream video on your mobile device without it eating into any of your allotted data, advocates for an open Internet were quick to voice concerns.

Now, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has weighed in, and it turns out he has no problem with Binge On. In fact, he actually supports it.

"It's clear in the Open Internet Order that we said we are pro-competition and pro-innovation," Wheeler said during Thursday's FCC meeting, according to Ars Technica. "Clearly this meets both of those criteria. It's highly innovative and highly competitive."

Wheeler added that the FCC will keep the program on its radar to ensure it doesn't violate the commission's net neutrality rules.

The FCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When announcing the program, T-Mobile CEO John Legere said Binge On "is not a net neutrality problem" because any company can participate, even porn providers. Critics, however, worried that certain services might be able to finagle a better experience than others on T-Mobile's network.

The service launched this week with support for 24 different streaming services, including Netflix, HBO Now, HBO GO, Hulu, Sling TV, WatchESPN, Showtime, Starz, Crackle, Encore, Fox Sports, Fox Sports Go, MLB, Movieplex, NBC Sports, Sling Box, and more. T-Mobile customers still need to pay for a subscription to Netflix, HBO Now, or whichever streaming service they use, if they charge, but won't have to worry about using up data while watching.

For more, check out 5 Things You Need to Know About the FCC's Net Neutrality Plan.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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